Derrick Rose away from Cavs, evaluating future in NBA

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Lue expects to have Rose back on team (0:49)

Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue explains why the team is giving Derrick Rose all the time he needs as he is dealing with a personal issue, but iterates that he expects to see the point guard back on the team. (0:49)

CLEVELAND -- Cavaliers guard Derrick Rose has left the team and is seriously re-evaluating his future in the NBA, league sources told ESPN.

There is growing uncertainty inside and outside the franchise about whether he will return to the team, league sources said.

Rose has missed 11 of the Cavs' 18 games this season, including the past seven because of a sprained left ankle. Rose's increasing frustration with injuries is causing him to question his desire to continue playing, league sources told ESPN.

One team source told ESPN of Rose: "He's tired of being hurt, and it's taking a toll on him mentally."

Derrick Rose signed a 13-year extension with Adidas in 2012. Walking away from the NBA now would mean walking away from the seven years and $80 million left on that deal.

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Rose has been noncommunicative to multiple people close to him inside and outside the Cavaliers in recent days, league sources said.

Since suffering a torn left ACL in the Chicago Bulls' opening game of the 2012 playoffs, Rose has been plagued with injuries, playing in just 237 out of a possible 412 regular-season games.

Rose was last with the Cavs for Monday's 116-88 win in Detroit, but he did not play in the game. According to a Cavaliers spokesman, his current absence from the team is excused.

Speaking before Cleveland's 100-99 win Friday night against the Charlotte Hornets, coach Tyronn Lue acknowledged that Rose is dealing with a personal matter, but said he does expect him back at some point.

"I don't have a time frame," Lue said. "You know, I want him to take his time. Like I said, it's a personal matter. Just know the team, the coaches, the organization, we all have his back. I wish him well, and we expect to have him back."

Lue said Rose still has a role on the team.

"... He still is very talented, which you saw in the Washington game in the early part of this year [when Rose scored 20]. And even last year," Lue said. "So, take as long as he needs to take, and we wish him well, and we want him back."

"I have been there. I'm sure guys before have contemplated the same thing. Especially when you have high expectations for yourself as a player, you're used to playing a certain level and a certain way, and every time you feel good and you think you're back, something else happens and something else happens and something else happens," Wade said. "Then it becomes more than just about [playing]. It takes away the love of the game a little bit. And that's the reason you play. And it becomes more than just about the money. And it starts becoming about your health and how you feel. How you feel. And it becomes tough. A lot of people don't really understand it at all."

Added Frye: "... I wish him the best regardless of what decision he makes, and I think at some point, I think each person individually in their lives have to make a decision about what makes him happy and what they want to do. So, much respect to him, he doesn't owe us anything. I mean, that man has sacrificed his life for this game, and, you know, I just wish him some happiness and wish him some clarity about whatever he needs to do, and, you know, take your time, figure things out, and if you want to come back we'd love to have you, and if not, you know, wish you the best."

Last season, Rose went missing from the New York Knicks on a game day without permission from the organization. He was fined by the Knicks and apologized to his teammates when he returned the next day.

"That was a family issue," Rose explained at the time. "For one, it had nothing to do with the team or basketball. But that's the first time I ever felt like that emotionally, and I had to be with my family."

A Cavs spokesman said Rose's current absence is different than the Knicks situation because he is not an active player and he communicated with the franchise at the outset of his leave.

One week ago, Lue said that Rose would be out "at least" the next two weeks because of his ankle injury. Rose rolled the ankle Oct. 20 when he landed awkwardly following a flagrant foul from then-Milwaukee Bucks big man Greg Monroe.

Cleveland put Rose in a walking boot last week in hopes of alleviating pressure on his left foot.

"Just a jacked-up ankle," Rose told ESPN at the time. "I'm just trying to figure it out, bro. Right now, it's just a jacked-up ankle. Just sore. I'm getting a lot of treatment for it, and tonight will be my first time wearing a boot. So I'll wear this, for I don't know how long, to see how it helps."

Rose, now 29, still has a lucrative sneaker deal with Adidas -- seven years and $80 million, according to ESPN's Nick DePaula. Adidas has produced eight signature shoes for Rose so far and is contractually obligated to continue to produce a signature shoe for the Chicago native as long as he is in the league. The contract is not fully guaranteed if Rose retires.

Rose, the 2011 league MVP, is averaging 14.3 points on 47 percent shooting (23.1 percent from 3), 2.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists this season. He signed a veterans minimum contract with the Cavs in the offseason.